Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-05-18
o. HORSEBACK.

lie nhlltgru 10 lllll >bilit ldillllN
friendS-old fashioned people of small
means, who lived in the aristocratic and
dismal streets Of the Fauburg Saint Ger
main. aud he had made for himself lii
Tie circle of acquaintance.
Ia this society Hector de Grihelin met a
Young g;rl az noble and poor as himself,
and married her
They had four children in two Years
During faur wears more the household.
harrassed 10y poverty, knew Of no better
sniu~-mentS than sunday walks in the
Champs Elysees and some visits 10 the
theal rr-unCe ar twice every winter
thanks 1" free tickets procured 10y irl
low clerk
Bui. all unexpectedly, ab"ut the com
mencement Of spring some extra work VAS
coniided 10 the employe 10y his superm-
tendent. and an extra remuneration of
800 franc, WAS accorded 10 him
He said TO his wife when he brought the
money home:
My dear Henrette. We must really
give ourselves some little enioyment-Say
pleasure party for the children
And after long discussion il was re-
solved To have a little picnic in the coUn-
try.
Ma fol- cried Hector, ''once does not
mean II habit; We can hire an open car
riage for you. tl.. children and tie nurse,
and I'll hire 4 horse AT the livery stable.
II viii do me good.
Aud during Ihe whole week they talked
"f nothing hut the excursion.
Every evening, when lie came home
from the Office, Hector would take his
eldest hoy, make him straddle his leg and
jump him mp and down, saying:
- &. sha r..s Il.
neu Sunday on the promenade, "
And all the rest of the day the little fell
low WAS straddling chairs and dragging
them all around the hall:
This is papa on his horse. "
He kept repeating 10 his wife, rubbing
his hands together the while:
III they would only give me ali animal
little hard 10 manage ! would Ue de
lighted YOu'll see how | can ride; and,
Il YOU wish, well come back by way of
he Champs Flysees tust as the people are
returning from the Bois de BOulogue
We're going 10 make quite a nice show;
and l wouldn't mind meeting some one
from 1.-THE marine Office. Nothing like
these little things 10 make a man stand
Well with the superintendent.
On the appointed day horse and car
riage were simultaneously al the door
He went out and looked al the animal
lie had had foot straps attached 10 his
pantaloons the day before, and had been
playing with new riding whip since the
previous evening.
He lifted up and felt each of the horses
legs, one after smother; patted his neck,
his ribs, his 1anks: tested his back with
his finger; opened his mouth, declared his
age: and as the rest of the family came
out. lac gave sort of little lecture. theo-
rcIical and practical, about horses in gen
-ral, ana that horse in particular, which
he declared To be excellent.
When all had taken their respective
places in the carriage he looked 10 the
saddle girths. and then, climbing ON a
slirrup, fell or the back Of the animal,
which began 10 dance under the burden,
and very nearly threw it, rider.
Hector. feeling n little uneasy, tried tC
quiet him.
that's all right
Then when the horse had resumed his
tranquility, and the rider his self posses,
sion the latter asked:
Well, are You all ready
All the voices answered at once:
Yes
Then he gave the word of command:
Go ahead
And the cayalcade started.
All eyes We're turned upon him He
troTt-d in the English style, with exagger !
atinns OF the motion. Every time he fell !
down upon the saddle he went up again, !
as If b-ing shot into space. Very often he |
seemed oil the point Of falling over the |
horse. mane. and he hooked straight lr
fore HIM, his face very pinched and his |
checks very psle.
His wife. holding one of her children on !
her hap. and the nurse. who held another, !
kept saying all the time:
Look at papa, look at papa
And the two little ones, delighted with |
the motion, the joy. and the bright air, I,
uttered shrili cries. Frightened 10y these |
Clamors, the horse broke into "A gallop; |
and while the rider tried 10 check him his |
hsi flew of anu rolled on the ground. |
Then the driver had 10 get down and pick |
Il mp; and as Hector received IL he |
shouted cut to his wife from distance:
Try 10 keep the children from scream |
ing like that: you'n have the horse run
ming away with me"'
They hreakiasted on the grass in the |
Bos du Nesinet. with the provisions they |
had brought along in a box.
Although the carriage driver looked |
after the three horses, Hector was always !
getting up 10 ste if his own animal did not !
want something or other; and he patted |
him on The neck-made him eat bread |
and cakes. and sugar.
lie declared:
He IL first rate trotter He even |
shook me mp a little at Irst; hut you saw |
how quickly got over 1.-THE found lie !
l..,f l,fS nd l..
play any more tricks"
A. he had decided, the party returned I
by way of The Champs Elysees.
The vast avenue swarmed with car /
riageS. And the pedestrians, on either side. !
were 50 numerous that il seemed a. if two |
huge black ribbons We're being unrolled |
from the Arc de Triomphe To the Place de /
Ia Concorde. 4 deluge OF sunlight fell .
over II all: flashing on the varnish of .
vehicles, the polished steel Of harnesses.
the handles Of carriage doors.
\ madness Of movement. an intoNica- |
tiun OF life, seemed 10 agitaie all that ]
crowd Of people carriages and animals .
And far of, the obelisk lowered i'll mist |
Of gold.
No sooner had HectOr's horse passed the |
Arc de Triomphe. than he was seized with |
Il new srdor: and he shot forward at full !
trot toward the stable. despite all the /
efforts Of his rider TO rein him in
The carriage was far behind now, very
far; and right i'll front Of the Palais de
llndustrie, the horse, finding the way
clear, turned TO the right and broke into q
gallop.
An old woman in an apron was crossing
the street, very quietly; she happened 10
lee just in Hector's way, as he came along |
at full speed. POwerless 20 master his !
beast, he yelled with all his might:
..HsIn thsre hey y'-In,,. our-b.rr